Everything old becomes new again. That includes wood, a traditional building material that of late has been cropping up in fresh, smart ways in kitchens, great rooms, staircases, you name it. New builds or renovations, tract homes or custom builders: it seems everyone's clambering aboard.

Anticipation is in the air at a Rockcliffe Park home decorated for Christmas Eve. The presents are under the tree — well, except for the ones from Santa — and the dining room table is set for a sumptuous family dinner.